Part IV: A Fan Fiction on the Tales of King Weasley and the Brightest Witch

HARRY POTTER

and the

Goblet of Fire

Prologue

“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” - J. K. Rowling

The above quote by J. K. Rowling gives the real perspective of reading. It allows us to think, to imagine, to learn new things.

When I read the books on Harry Potter, I fell in love with the characters of Hermione and Ron. I felt them to be a part of my soul separated in two. But their story from the POV of Harry is just in snippets.

So, through these articles I would like to expand the story of Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger creating a fanfiction on their conversations explaining why they were meant for each other. These articles are based on the book series so as suggestion I would like you to READ this fan fiction ALONG WITH GOBLET OF FIRE BOOK.

This is Part IV of the series of Tales of King Weasley and the Brightest Witch. If you have not read the previous parts yet please go through it as those are going to be important to the following parts of this fanfiction.

For the purpose of extending the story I have included some extra characters and facts into the story. These have been done for expansion of the background of Hermione which has never been explained in the books. I strongly believe that a person's characteristics are well defined by the conversations they have with the people around them.

Hope I am able to do justice to the characters from the books as has been created by J. K. Rowling. With these articles, I would try to connect the dots which has been beautifully placed by her throughout the seven books with regard to the relationship between Ron and Hermione.

If I have made any mistakes regarding the characters, I would be glad to receive your feedbacks or if you like my following Fan Fiction, your words of encouragement in the comments section would be much appreciated and share it with a fellow Romione Shipper.

Before proceeding any further, I would like to state that if you have not yet read the books or watched the movies on Harry Potter, please take your time to read or watch them first as there are going to be possible SPOILERS AHEAD.

CHAPTER ONE

The Riddle House

The Sunday morning was quite subtle with light wind blowing outside Hearthgate. It had been three days since Harry, Ron and Hermione parted their ways for their summer holidays. Hermione sat in the living room sofa reading The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts by Arsenius Jiggeropen for her Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. She took the quill and dipped it in ink to start the essay when she heard the phone ring. Mrs. Granger answered the call.

“Hello, Eliza Granger speaking,”

“HELLO! HERMIONE! HELLO!” bellowing sound of Ron came out which made Mrs. Granger jump. Hermione looked at her, awestruck. “GINNY, I DON’T THINK THIS IS WORKING!”

“WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING AT ME? I’M RIGHT HERE!” Hermione could hear the sound of Ginny echoing out of the telephone.

Mrs. Granger looked at Hermione with pressed lips suppressing her giggle. “Hermione, I think- it's for you,” said Mrs. Granger trying to keep a straight-face and she held out the cordless receiver for Hermione.

Hermione looked helplessly at Mrs. Granger and took the receiver. “Hello, Ron,” answered Hermione weakly.

“HELLO!” Ron bellowed “Ginny, you won't need to bring anything. I think I heard her.”

“He is an idiot. Absolutely, an idiot,” murmured Hermione under her breath looking hopeless holding out the phone away from her ear, “I'll take it upstairs, Mum, it would take some time to teach him— how to use a telephone.”

Hermione calmly went upstairs to her bedroom holding out the receiver a feet away from her without answering while Ron kept shouting over the telephone.

“WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?” Hermione bellowed back at the receiver closing the bedroom door behind her.

“HERMIONE! YOUR SOUND IS NOT COMING PROPERLY!”

She clapped the receiver on her head. “TAKE THE RECEIVER TO YOUR EARS!” she shouted back slowly massaging her head where the receiver hit

“THE WHAT? OH! THERE! CAN YOU HEAR ME?”

“Everyone in the neighbourhood can hear you, Ron,” she murmured.

“WHAT?”

“HOLD IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND YOU IDIOT AND STOP SHOUTING!”

“Oh! Sorry,”

“Now you have learnt how to use a phone,” she snarled. “And please do me a favour, send me owl from next time.”

“But I need help with my homewo-. Ginny, let go. I am talking,”

“You let go. I want to talk to her as well. Hello Hermione!” said Ginny.

“Hello! How are you?” Hermione replied.

Hermione could hear Ron and Ginny fight over the telephone. She anxiously listened to their conversations. Finally, after few minutes Ron managed to win the fight and answered back.

“Please, Hermione, I have just started my transfiguration homework. I need your help,” said Ron.

After a couple of minutes of begging from Ron, Hermione agreed to help with his homework.

“OK. But I'll not be dictating whole of the essay to you,” said Hermione. Hermione could hear Ron make a sound of disappointed.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger were dentists, so Hermione spent most of her weekdays with their neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their only son, Chris. She spent so much of her time their that she even had a room for herself in the Jones Residence.

As instructed by Professor McGonagall during her first visit to the Granger Residence informing that Hermione has been selected in Hogwarts, a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione's parents never revealed her special abilities to any of the Muggles and Mr. and Mrs. Jones were no exception.

Chris, on the other hand, had always known that Hermione was capable of doing things beyond normal people. Hermione had never hidden it from him. (“But don't go around telling people about it,” she said when she first told Chris about being selected in Hogwarts.)

The Jones were fairly rich in the neighbourhood with Mrs. Jones as a Lawyer and Mr. Jones, Mr. Granger’s childhood friend, being one of the known faces among the musicians, but they never boasted about it. They rather loved living in their moderate lifestyle. Even though several offers came for Mr. Jones from bigger industries. He kept on insisting on living in their old neighborhood where he grew up around his friends.

CHAPTER TWO

The Scar

As the Quidditch World Cup progressed, Ron kept on informing her about which team was getting selected or getting knocked out over the phone.

Only two days were left before the World Cup Finals was about to be held. Hermione got ready  and went to the Jones Residence.

“Good Morning, Dear! Come in,” said Mrs. Jones brightly, seeing Hermione. Her neatly knotted long brown hair beautifully complementing the elegance in her black and white attire.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Jones,” said Hermione.

“Glad you came early today,” said Mrs. Jones with a glow in her eyes, wrapping her hand around her shoulder and walking with her. “I was just about to leave for work,” Mrs. Jones added as they entered into the living room. “Ethan, Hermione’s here,” cried Mrs. Jones towards the hall where Mr. Jones was playing the piano.

“Ethan! Are you even listening?” said Mrs. Jones with rue. Mr. Jones simply nodded and kept playing the piano now in a soothing tune. “Please, make sure that she eats her lunch on time and Chris is going for his selection so he might come home before lunch,” said Mrs. Jones.

“I am not sure if he even listened to that,” said Mrs. Jones turning to Hermione, Hermione looked at him suppressing her smile. Hermione knew that Mr. Jones expresses himself better when his hands were on the piano.

“Don't go out without informing and eat your lunch properly. You are getting thinner,” said Mrs. Jones lovingly, caressing Hermione's hair.

“I'll be fine,” said Hermione, assuring her with a grin.

“Good Morning, Hermione!” said Mr. Jones warmly, coming up to them. Mr. Jones sported a boxed-beard which caped well with his wavy surfer hair, and his usual practice of wearing formals and gunmetal rimmed glasses. “Amelia, please be early today,” he said to Mrs. Jones “David might kill me this year, if we are late again to their anniversary dinner,” he added with a grin towards Hermione.

Today was Hermione's parents eighteenth marriage anniversary. Every year, Hermione's parents, David and Eliza Granger, celebrated their anniversary with the Jones, in a small gathering.

“OK. I'll be home early,” said Mrs. Jones, ruffling his hair, “Goodbye,” and went to her work.

“Hermione! You are early!” Chris came jumping down few flights of stairs at a time. “Come to the selection with me. I'll be surely selected,” he whispered to Hermione with a grin.

“Are you mad? How many times do I have to tell you? I am not permitted to do magic outside school,” Hermione whispered back making sure Mr. Jones was out of earshot.

Chris made a disappointed face and dragged himself out of the way. “Good Luck,” cried Hermione. Chris looked back with a frown “Bye!” he said, in a childlike manner and went for his selection.

She sat inside the hall listening to Mr. Jones talk about several types of melodies. He even taught her few simple notes for her to play. After a few hours of practicing piano, she went upstairs to her room and came down to the living room with her book on A Guide to Medieval Sorcery.

She sat on the armchair, in the living room listening to the piano, played by Mr. Jones inside the hall next to the living room. She opened up the book and read:

“Distinction between good magic and dark magic began from the early part of eighth century with the growth of Witches and Wizards trying to conquer some of the territories to rule over with the use of powerful magic which inflicted torture, pain and sufferings upon the weak. From this era onwards, strict laws against dark magic was regularized. The profession of a Healer grew during this era with the increasing amount of curses being inflicted upon innocent people including the Muggles.”

She was deeply engrossed in the book when she heard an ascending voice coming from her right.

“HERMIONE!”

She looked around to find Chris, sitting on the sofa drenched in mud and sweat wearing his football uniform staring at her. She gave a disgruntled look and went back to reading.

“I have been calling you for five minutes now. What are you reading?” snarled Chris bending over to read the words.

“A book on Medieval Magic,” she said cooly looking up “-and you couldn't have been calling me for five minutes as I just came down with my book.”

“Did you get selected in the team?” asked Hermione with eagerness.

Chris looked at her with dead expression before finally revealing with a grin that he has been selected at the left wing position in their school football team.

“That's brilliant, Chris!” she said excitedly “I would have hugged you but-” she gave squeamish look at his muddy clothes, “I rather not.”

“Seriously, Hermione, you need to get out and have some normal friends in your life,” said Chris in a snotty way settling down on the sofa.

“What do you mean by normal friends?” she snarled.

Suddenly an unmistakable twittering sound came from outside the window. Chris and Hermione looked out the window. Hermione recognised it was the small owl that Sirius presented to Ron. It kept fluttering outside the window carrying an envelope. Hermione jumped up excitedly and ran to the window to let the owl in.

“See at least my friends write to me. How many of your normal friends write to you?” she said with a pride tearing open the envelope and started to read it out aloud.

“Dad just got our tickets for the World Cup final. It's on Monday. I know I could have said that over phone but could not wait to tell you till tonight. So I am sending this letter with Pig.”

“He named you Pig?” said Hermione with a side glance at Chris, who was about to fall from the sofa laughing holding his belly. She looked pitifully at the little owl as it fluttered above her head before settling down on her lap.

“Mum has send a letter for your parents approval through Muggle Post. Don't know if it will reach them on time. Have you told them yet? If you come inform me. We will come and pick you up tomorrow at 2 o'clock. I'll call you later.

Bye, -Ron”

“Oh no! I forgot to ask them again,” she mumbled looking at Chris, stroking the feather of the little owl with her finger.

“So, ask them tonight. They might even receive the letter his Mum sent to your parents. And it's their marriage anniversary today. They'd never disagree on this day,” said Chris assuring her.

She was folding back the letter when Crookshanks jumped on her lap scaring the owl away.

“Crookshanks! No!” she cried as Crookshanks curled on her lap. “Are you trying to get me murdered by Ron? Did you not notice anything last year?” she said looking anxiously around to see where the owl went to.

“There!” said Chris with a smug look at Hermione pointing at the little owl, without any glance at it. Pig was fluttering on top of the mantel shelf. Hermione kept the letter on the sofa and quickly went towards it.

“Hermione? Isn't Ron the one whose candies you have been saving from last year?” said Chris.

“Chris, you are getting mud on it,” cried Hermione seeing Chris with the letter.

“So,” said Chris, irritated.

She put Pig to a safe place where Crookshanks would not reach and dashed towards him  snatching the letter and started to wipe off the little bit mud that was on it.

CHAPTER THREE

The Invitation

Hermione was always intimidated to ask her parents for anything. Though she was never denied of anything that she had ever asked for, but she had never been one to have ever asked for anything unnecessary.

But this time, she knew it was unreasonable as whole of summer in the Burrow meant that she would not be able to meet her parents before their term started on 1st of September or till next year. "I'll ask them at the dinner," she thought.

In the evening, Hermione's parents arrived to pick her up. To her resentment, when they reached home, Aunt Helen was sitting at their living room sofa. Aunt Helen, Hermione's distant relative from her father's side, was not one of the friendly faces to visit their home. Both her mother and she were constantly scoffed by both her and her daughter .

“I might have forgotten to mention that she said she would come for our anniversary dinner,” whispered Mr. Weasley to Hermione.

Her heart sank now she is far away from asking them anything at all. She glanced at her reluctantly.

Aunt Helen was looking skinnier than Hermione remembered from their last visit to her house during the summer holidays after the end of their first year. It appeared that her bones were now wrapped directly with the skin without much visible muscle.

“Ah- Hermione! Look how old you are,” said Aunt Helen in a childish tone. “I remember seeing you when you were this big,” said Aunt Helen gesturing how small she was.

‘Everytime,’ Hermione murmured coldly in an undertone. With a lot of effort she managed to curve her lips into a smile.

“Come here and sit. How was your school?” Aunt Helen without waiting for a reply looked at Mrs. Granger “Lizzy, how did you allow your daughter to go into a boarding school, I don't know?” she said pompously.

“My daughter, Kate goes to Duffleton School. It is the best school in South London,” she said loftily. Hermione and her cousin sister, Kate, went to the same preschool before Aunt Helen shifted to the South when they were seven years old. Kate liked being the best at everything and since Hermione was always good in her classes she ended up being second best.

“She is the best in her class. We had to add another new shelf to make room for her trophies for this year,” added Aunt Helen in her plummy tone.

Hermione could recognise her mother's smile, suppressing resentment. Mrs. Granger turned sharply on her heels and stomped her way towards the kitchen.

“Mum, I'll be at my room,” cried Hermione.

“OK,” Mrs. Granger cried back from the kitchen.

“But what are you going to do at your room at this hour?” Aunt Helen asked snooping in as Hermione put her first step on the staircase landing.

“Homework.” Hermione curtly lied, “I've got a lot of it pending,”

As she walked upstairs, Hermione could hear Aunt Helen continue to boast about Kate to Mr. Granger.

****

At the dinner, she tried to find a moment when Aunt Helen was not clinging on to her parents to ask if she can go the the Burrow tomorrow. It was a herculean task as everytime she attempted to ask, Aunt Helen snooped in the conversation.

After a number of failed attempts, she just sat there with her dinner plate in front spearing her food before eating as Aunt Helen kept gasconading about her daughter.

“My Kate has even been awarded the student of the year award this year. This will be her third.” said Aunt Helen, when the telephone rang.

“I'll take it,” said Hermione and jumped out of the dinner table. She was relieved that it had rang.

“Hello, Hermione Granger speaking,”

“Hello! Did you ask them yet?” Ron asked excitedly.

“Ron!” she said with a gasp “No, I have not yet been able to ask them. Our Aunt Helen is here and till she leaves I can't ask them,” she said in a whisper making sure Aunt Helen was not around.

“She does not know that I am- you-know-” she peeked into the dinner table to see where Aunt Helen was and said in an undertone “a witch.”

“Whom are you talking to?” came a voice from behind Hermione. She sharply turned around. To her horror, it was Aunt Helen standing right behind her. She just hoped that she had not heard that she is a witch.

“Er- N-No one,” said Hermione, quickly putting the receiver down.

“Was that a boy? Tell me, I won't tell your parents,” said Aunt Helen in a childish tone. Hermione was raging with fury and was thinking of saying things which she might not regret that much for the rest of her life. She grinded her teeth together when-

“It must be a wrong number. Wasn't it, Hermione.” Hermione looked up and saw Chris. “We get a lot of prank calls here,” he said with a suave.

“Oh. You must be Christopher. Do you remember me. I am Helen Henderson, Hermione’s Aunt. When I last saw you, you were so-”

“let me guess, small. Yes, that's how it is. Isn't it. You are small and then you grow up,” said Chris curtly.

Hermione silently giggled as Aunt Helen walked away haughtily. “Thank you, Chris,” she said with a grin.

“No problem. We all have one in our family. So, should I ask them, if you can't? I think she won't come near me for few minutes now,” he said with a smirk.

She shrugged and peeked at the place where Aunt Helen went. “I think, I should tell Ron, I would not be able to come,” she said gloomily.

“Write to him. You have his owl with you. He'll understand,” he said.

“If it's Ron you are talking about understanding,then I don't think we are on the same boat,” looking hopeless.

She took a deep breath, mustering every courage she could, she said with determination “I'll ask them right now.”

Hermione walked to her parents along with Chris and asked with a straight face “Mum! Dad! I am staying at the Burrow for the rest of the summer and Ron will come and pick me up tomorrow at 2 o'clock.”

“Chris would also be here so you don't have to worry. Won't you, Chris,” she glared at him. Chris quickly nodded smiling awkwardly.

After Aunt Helen's hundreds of questions and her parents approval she went back to her room bidding Chris good night. She wrote a very short letter and called Pig, handing him the letter. Pig clawed the letter and flapped out of sight.

****

In the next morning, Ron was surprised to wake up with Pigwidgeon fluttering above his head with a letter. He quickly sat up and read the surprisingly short letter.

“Ron, my parents approved. I can go and watch the final.”

Ron was unable to withheld his excitement and ran downstairs to tell everyone.

“Hermione's coming! Hermione’s coming!” he said excitedly and ran back up to his room and jotted down a letter for Harry and ran back down to send away Pigwidgeon.

After quickly finishing of his breakfast, he waited eagerly for 2 o'clock to come. “What time is it?” asked Ron, enthusiastically, as time seemed to have slowed down.

“Ron, you just asked five minutes ago. Nothing much have changed since then,” said Fred with a smirk, working with what looked like a small person, burping out bubbles.

“What are you two doing?” asked Mrs. Weasley.

“Nothing!” said Fred and George together.

At that precise moment, the small person in hands of Fred bursted with a loud bang, which made everyone jump, releasing bubbles everywhere.

“THIS IS THE LIMIT! You two are grounded for the day,” shouted Mrs. Weasley waving off the bubbles in front of her to have a clear view at the twins. “Go to your room and you are not going anywhere.”

The twins quickly went out of sight towards their bedroom with silent chuckles.

****

In the afternoon, Ron quickly got dressed and came down. Mrs. Weasley was ready with the Floo Powder Pot.

“I'll go first,” said Mr. Weasley and went inside the fireplace and threw the powder. With a flash of green flame he vanished.

Ron followed the suit and in a matter of seconds he was inside a huge living room. It was beautifully decorated. On top of the mantel, Ron could see pictures of Hermione with her parents which he thought must be before she joined Hogwarts, which to his surprise was not moving.

He saw Hermione was sitting at the living room along with her parents and a boy whom he did not recognise. The boy was staring at the fireplace with a look of horror.

“Ronald, How are you?” said Mr. Granger, brightly “Come and have a sit.”

“Call me Ron, Sir,” said Ron walking towards the empty armchair near where Hermione and the boy sat. Mr. Weasley went on to chat with Hermione's parents about the uses of a chassis.

“Hello!” said Ron looking at the unknown face. The dark brown, feathery haired boy stood up to greet him. He had a well-built structure and Ron only reached up to his shoulder length.

“Oh! Hello! I am Christopher Jones, Hermione's friend. You must be Ron,” said Chris with a gentle smile putting out his hand for a shake.

“Ronald,” he said mulishly with a frown and with all his force, Ron squeezed Chris’s hand, planning on crushing it. “Her real friend,” he sneered under his breath.

“Wow! You have a firm grip,” said Chris massaging his hand with an awkward smile at Ron. Chris turned towards Hermione with a smug look, “I think we should get your trunk down, Hermione,”

“I'll help. You hold this,” said Ron and gave Chris the pot of Floo Powder, “-and don't drop it,” he directed.

Hermione led the way to her room. As they entered her room, Ron sensed a mild smell of strawberry in the air. Everything in the room was neatly placed. He started looking around the room.

Ron stopped beside the study table seeing a small box beside the neatly stacked books. Curiously, he opened it. There were few Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans. He picked one blue coloured bean among them and ate it.

“Ron, I thought you said you're helping,” said Hermione absentmindedly, packing some of the book which was lying on the bed, with a side glance at him.

“RON!” she exclaimed. “Did you eat it?” Ron quickly shook his head in denial, gulping the remain bits of the candy as Hermione rushed towards him. She spread out all the beans on the table in a haste and started counting it.

“One is missing,” she said, tears started rolling out her eyes.

“I didn't know you love these candies so much,” said Ron, looking guilty. “I'll give you a whole new box of it when we get back to my place,” he said staring at her, “Please, don't cry. I- I am really sorry.”

“I don't even like these stupid candies,” she said wiping her tears, “That's why I never ate them.”

“Then why are you crying about it?” said Ron looking quizzical. He saw Hermione put all of the remaining candies safely back in the box.

“If you don't know, I am not telling you,” she snarled, “Let's get going. Help me pick up my trunk.”

They both heaved the truck out of the room and dragged it down the stairs. Hermione bade goodbye to her parents and Chris. Mr. Weasley let Hermione use the Floo Network after Ron. Within a matter of seconds she was spinning in circles, she closed her eye shut tightly.

She landed on the floor of the Burrow coughing bits of Floo Powder out of her mouth. She cleared the way for Mr. Weasley to come and saw Mrs. Weasley waiting by the fireplace.

“Are you all right, dear?” said Mrs. Weasley wiping up Hermione's face which was covered in soot.

Hermione stood there getting her face cleaned as Mr. Weasley came through the fireplace covered in ash. He started dusting off the ash from himself. Mrs. Weasley released Hermione and went to Mr. Weasley to wipe of the little bit of dust that was left on his face.

Hermione saw Ron standing in the living room playing with Pig. “I was wondering- why did you named him Pig?” asked Hermione walking up to him looking at the owl sitting on Ron's arm.

“I didn't. Ginny did. Pigwidgeon. That's the name she gave,” said Ron looking pitifully at the owl “He’s annoying,” said Ron as the owl started fluttering on top his head.

“Good to know. Crookshanks didn't have his lunch yet,” said Hermione with a straight face looking at the owl.

“What? No!” said Ron quickly grabbing the owl in mid air and holding it close to his chest.

Hermione turned around with a mischievous smile towards thundering noise coming from the stairs.

“Hermione!” said Ginny and flung herself on to Hermione making her lose her balance but she quickly recovered. “You are staying with me in my room.”

“Come on, Let's go. I'll show you where my room is.” Ginny pulled away Hermione out of sight.

Whole day went by with great discussions on the Quidditch Finals. Hermione was not surprised to see Ginny being enthusiastic about Quidditch as well. All of her brothers were practically crazy about the game. Fred and George were in the Gryffindor Quidditch team and Ron remembers all the names of players from different teams by heart. Hermione recalled their elder brother, Charlie was a Quidditch captain playing in the Seeker’s position of Gryffindor.

CHAPTER FOUR

Back to the Burrow

Next morning, Hermione woke up early in her usual practice. Ginny was still asleep. She didn't disturb and quietly walked out the room. She could hear sounds of dishes from the kitchen so she went down and saw Mrs. Weasley was preparing breakfast.

“May I help, Mrs. Weasley?” asked Hermione.

“Oh! No! My dear. You are our guest.” said Mrs. Weasley with a loving smile turning on her heels. “I can't let you work. What would your parents think of us?”

“Its OK. I’d love help. May I? Please,” said Hermione.

“OK. But only because you are insisting,” said Mrs. Weasley. Hermione started chopping some vegetables on the kitchen counter.

After few hours Ginny came down and she was ordered to set up the plates for breakfast. Fred and George also came down looking at each other with a grin. Hermione could tell they were trying to hide something.

In a short while, Mr. Weasley came from outside wrapped in chicken feather. “I tell you Molly, these chickens are getting out of hand,” said Mr. Weasley as Mrs. Weasley plucked the feather of his coat one at a time.

Hermione stood there watching them. “Oh! didn't see you there, Hermione. Good Morning!” said Mr. Weasley brightly.

“Good Morning, Mr. Weasley,” she replied with a smile.

“Ronnie, get up, it's time for breakfast,” cried Mrs. Weasley. Hermione clapped her hand on her face suppressing her laughter.

“Oh! When will this boy ever get up on time,” said Mrs. Weasley. “Ginny, go and call Ron,” said Mrs. Weasley to Ginny who was sluggishly setting up the plates.

“I am already setting up the plates!” protested Ginny. “How many things am I supposed to do at a time?”

Mrs. Weasley looked up at Fred and George who were writing something on a piece of parchment. “Are you two planning on getting another day's detention? Give that parchment to me,” said Mrs. Weasley but they both ran outside. “Hopeless. Everyone one of them are just hopeless,” said Mrs. Weasley to herself disappointedly

“I'll go and wake him up,” said Hermione who was standing near the kitchen counter staring at them.

“Oh! Thanks a lot my dear. I am so sorry that I have to make you do all the work,” said Mr. Weasley looking at Hermione.

“You don't need to say thanks, Mrs. Weasley,” she said politely.

As Mrs. Weasley had told her Ron’s room was underneath the attic. She knocked the door, but Ron was fast asleep to answer back. She pushed the door open.

The room was messy with playing cards lying on the side table and books spreaded over the floor. Hermione gave a disgruntled look.

“Ron! Ron, get up!” said Hermione, collecting the books from the floor. Ron just rolled over to the other side.

Hermione walked up to him with a silent giggle with the books held in her arms. She reached beside his bed and bent over to keep the books on the side table. As she bent over she could smell freshly mowed grass coming from Ron's hair.

“Ronnie, get up,” said Hermione in a sing-song way, teasingly, arranging the books on the side table in alphabetical order.

“Only a few more minutes, Mum,” mumbled Ron in his sleep.

She pushed him angrily. “I am not your Mum,” she sneered at him. “Get up! Your breakfast’s getting cold.”

Ron jerked up, blinking foolishly at her. “What are you doing in my bedroom?” he said slowly, looking puzzled.

“Get up!” she said angrily “-and honestly, get dressed,” Hermione snarled and went out of the room.

After breakfast all of the Weasley kids along with Hermione sat at the living room. Hermione watched as the Weasley's discussed on various strategies that the teams always follow. Time went flying by with the vociferous conversation of Quidditch as noon came in.

“Let's go and play Quidditch outside,” suggested Fred.

“Yeah… but there are only three of us,” said George.

“Wish Harry came early. When Percy comes, we can ask him,” said Ron.

“Can I play?” said Ginny eagerly.

“No!” cried all the three boys together.

Ginny crossed her arms and glared at them with a frown. Shortly afterwards, Percy came in with a bunch of books and Parchment held in his arms. Fred and George stopped him on his way.

“Percy, come and play,” said Fred pulling him outside.

“Leave me, I have work,” said Percy

“You can finish it of later. After all you are the best in your Department,” said Fred, buttering him up. With a few persuasion, Percy agreed and all four of them walked outside, after Percy had kept all his belongings in his room safely. Hermione followed them and Ginny stomped behind all of them with a frown, her arms still crossed.

“Great. Now we have four. Match ends when Mum calls for lunch. Only Chaser and Keeper, each side,” said George “Percy you are in my team. You are the Chaser,”

“You be the Keeper, I'd like to Chase today,” Fred whispered to Ron with a grin.

All of them started playing. Fred and Ron were leading with a score of fifty to forty as Percy came swooping with the Quaffle held tightly in his arms. Fred went behind him but Percy was quicker and he threw the ball towards the post. Seeing the quaffle dashing towards him, Ron swirled towards it and saved it.

“Brilliant, Ron!” cried Hermione.

Ron looked at her and waved. He saw Hermione murmuring and furiously pointing at something but could not hear what she was saying.

“What?” Ron cried back. Suddenly there was a loud bang and he could hear ringing sounds in his ears. After few seconds, he could feel a sharp pain on his nose.

“Are you all right, Ron?” cried Percy, flying towards him on his broom “I am sorry.”

“I’b bine, I’b bine,” said Ron holding his bleeding nose.

“You don't sound fine,” cried Hermione, “Come down, immediately.” Percy and George helped Fred to get Ron down. Hermione and Ginny dashed to the spot where they landed.

“Episky,” said Percy holding his wand on to Ron's nose. With a cracking sound, Ron's nose repaired back to normal. “You'll be fine,”

“Three post. And you hit Ron's head. Great aim Perce,” mocked Fred.

“If you hate my game so much why did you even ask me to play? I could have started with my work,” Percy glared.

Fred and Percy started shouting at each other. George instead of stopping them went on to support Fred in their argument and in a matter of seconds all three of them were yelling on top of their voices.

“STOP SHOUTING! I'M GOING TO CALL MUM!” Ginny yelled on top of her voice. It was a hopeless try. They still kept shouting. She stormed back into the house and came back with Mrs. Weasley.

After few minutes of getting scolded from Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George and Percy stopped shouting and went inside.

“Bill! Charlie! You came early!” yelled Ron the moment he walked inside. “Wow Charlie! New burns. Which dragon?”

“Ron!” said Mrs. Weasley and Hermione together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The Unexpected Task

Hermione went to the library to finish of her Transfiguration Homework. The place was very quiet till Victor Krum entered with a bunch of fan-girls giggling behind him. She have a scathing look at them and started to read A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration.

“Vill you come to the Ball vith me.” Hermione looked up. Victor Krum was beaming at her with a glow in his eyes. All the girls in the library gasped. Few even started weeping.

“Sorry?” she said slowly, shocked, looking around at the crowd.

“I vas hoping if you vould go to the Yule Ball vith me,” said Krum nervously looking at Hermione.

Hermione didn't know what to answer but she remembered Ron. “Yes. Why not?" she said politely. "Boys from our school are busy going with the best-looking girls only. So there is no point in wasting my time thinking about them,” she said with a snarl.

“I think you are very beautivul,” said Krum in a praiseful manner, which made Hermione blush. “Ve vill meet at the Ball,” Krum said with a grin and went out of the library with his now sobbing bunch of fan-girls.

After finishing of her transfiguration homework she came out of the library. With the thought of her being asked to the ball by Victor Krum, she started walking towards the common room. On her way, she saw Ginny sitting there in the corner of the corridor hovering few small pebbles in front of her, in circles. She went to her and sat beside her.

“What happened?” asked Hermione quietly, seeing Ginny’s puffy eyes.

“Nothing,” said Ginny, bristling.

“Ginny, am I your friend?” asked Hermione, Ginny nodded “Then tell me, why have you been crying?” said Hermione, putting an arm around her shoulder.

“I- I have always li-liked Harry,” said Ginny looking down, tears rolling down her eyes. “But he ne-never even notices me. He might not even- ask me to the ball.”

“It has always been very clear, the way you look at him. But the real problem with you is that you always seem to be scared of talking to him,” said Hermione.

“What you need to do is to go out with someone else and probably, he will notice you, or else— he would look around for the best-looking one all his life,” she sneered.

“Have any one asked you to the ball yet?” asked Ginny wiping her tears.

“Yes, but don't say it to— anyone,” said Hermione looking around to see if anyone was there. “It's Viktor Krum,” she said blushingly.

“What? Krum? He asked you?” said Ginny excitedly. Hermione hushed her down and nodded with a shy smile.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The Yule Ball

Ron kept peeking above the crowd looking for Hermione as he walked along with Harry and Parvati with his eyes fixed at the crowd eagerly searching for her. From somewhere down his left a voice came “Hi!”, absentmindedly he replied back “Hi!”

When the Great Hall open he walked towards a corner table peeking above the heads unable to see Hermione's bushy hair among them.

“Hey, isn't she one of your friends?” Padma asked

Ron briskly looked at the person Padma was indicating. It was Hermione. She was smiling sweetly. Ron's face unknowingly curved into a smile. For a moment he didn't care who she came with. 'What had she done to herself' he thought frowning at her hair which was all tied up and was looking absolutely different.

“Krum?” Ron thought with wide eyes, his smile faded away noticing Krum’s head appear beside Hermione laughing alongside her. “That's who she came with,” he murmured under his breath. His heart sank. Glaring at them, he walked towards the corner table and sat there staring at them open-mouthed, hardly blinking.

Ron grabbed his fork tightly in between is palm glaring at them as Hermione tried to teach Krum how to say her name properly over the dinner table.

“Her-my-oh-nee,” she said, slowly and clearly.

“Herm-own-ninny,”

“Close enough,” she said, catching Harry's eye and grinning.

“Can't even say her name properly,” Ron snorted in an undertone stabbing one of the pork chop on his plate.

As Hermione and Krum stood up for dance Ron felt a sudden coldness in the air. He thought it must be Nearly Headless Nick passing through him. He sunk in his chair staring at them woefully.

“Are you going to ask me to dance?” said Padma crossing her arms and legs.

“Later,” said Ron gloomily, watching Hermione dancing with Krum.

****

Ron climbed upstairs while Cedric talked to Harry. He looked back a couple of times at them but he was too fretted to care, so he walked back towards the common room.

On his way to common room, he saw Krum amorously talking to Hermione. He firmly pressed his fingers into his palm making a strong fist. Gritting his teeth, he slowly walked closer towards them.

As he reached heard Krum, “Ve vill, meet at Library, tomorrow then.” There was a glow in Hermione's face that Ron never noticed before. She had turned into a bright shade of pink with a shy smile on her face and was unable to look directly in the eye while replying back to Krum.

Seeing Hermione smile at the words of Krum, felt like someone was trying to strangle him. Ron put his hands on his neck trying to release himself but it was of no help.

As Krum turned around he grinned at him, but Ron gave a look of disdain and glared at him making sure he was out of sight.

“What did Vicky do that made you smile?” he sniggered.

“Nothing. Why? D- Did- Did you see anything?” said Hermione, breathing nervously.

Ron suspiciously looked at her and kept walking towards the common room followed by Hermione. They walked to the Gryffindor common room in the dead air of the wintery night.

“So, you said no to me, to go with Krum,” said Ron slowly, breaking the silence.

“What has gone into you tonight?” said Hermione looking quizzical.

“Nothing. What would have happened if you have said yes to me?” he sniggered.

“What do you mean by ‘yes to me’? You never asked me to go with you,” she snarled.

“I could have, if you were not that snobbish,” he said coldly. Ron was looking to release his rage  at any moment. He shouted at the portrait of the Fat Lady reaching the entrance “Fairy lights.”

“OK! OK!” said the Fat Lady and the door to the common room creaked open.

“-and what have you done to your hair,” Ron yelled, breathing furiously as he entered into the common room. “Trying to impress your Vicky, I guess,” he sharply turned and started walking towards the boy's dormitory.

“I feel like punching you on the face right now,” yelled Hermione back glaring at him.

“Yes, of course, you do. First say no and then punch on the face” he said, calmly, turning back on his heels “Go ahead and do it,” he yelled at her, “that might hurt less,” he said to himself in an undertone.

“Well if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?”

“Oh yeah?”  Ron yelled back. “What's that?”

“Next time there is a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!”

Ron darted towards the common room, ruffled his trunk for a while and took out the miniature Krum.

“Stupid-pumpkin-headed-old-rag,” murmured Ron, slamming the miniature Krum on the side table with every word, till its arm ripped off.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The Madness of Mr. Crouch

Ron and Hermione were walking out of the library when a bunch of Slytherin girls walked up to them led by Pansy.

“Krum, Potter and now Weasley,” snarled Pansy. “This filthy Mudblood’s choices are getting pathetic,” she spat giving out a psychotic laughter along with her group.

Ron's blood started boiling in his head, he took out his wand and furiously pointed at her. But Hermione pushed his hands and flashes of orange light went on to hit the wall. He kept glaring at them.

“Professor Snape!” cried Pansy. Both Ron and Hermione quickly turned on their heels. To their surprise, Snape was standing behind them.

“Professor, he tried to Hex me,” said Pansy “First time, they tried was not enough for them,” she said making a face of sorrow.

“I saw it with my own eyes, Miss Perkinson,” said Snape, exultant.

“Yeah… did you hear it with your own ears,” shouted Ron. Hermione held his arm down as he was about to point it towards Snape. “Ron! Don't,” she whispered at him anxiously.

“Did you hear what she said?” Ron shouted at Snape, ignoring Hermione.

“You would learn your lesson for your behavior right here, Mr. Weasley. Unlike Mr. Potter, you cannot slip off with your punishments. Fifty points from Gryffindor,” said Snape curtly. Ron kept glaring at him, “-and a detention.”

Ron was not even disappointed for his actions he stared at Snape with grimace when he heard footsteps.

“May I have a word with Mr. Weasley, Severus.” Ron recognised the voice of Dumbledore coming from behind him he quickly turned his head towards him.

“He has just tried to hex Miss Parkinson. A detention shall teach him a lesson, Professor,” said Professor Snape.

“Then Mr. Weasley will be having his detention in my office, Severus. That is if you don't mind,” said Dumbledore beaming at Ron.

The Slytherin girls went towards the dungeon with silent giggles. Snape floated away towards the staff room with pride. It was only Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore who stood there. Hermione was looking a bit off-coloured.

“I will see you at 5 o'clock today, Mr. Weasley. And aren't Toffee Eclairs just amazing, these days,” said Dumbledore.

As Ron strolled towards the common room Hermione looked up anxiously at Dumbledore and asked “He is not going to be expelled. Is he,Professor? It was not his fault. They were-”

“We will see about that, Miss Granger. Please, go back to your common room,” said Dumbledore with a gentle smile.

Ron has always idolised Dumbledore since his childhood. He was sure he would get expelled. ‘Better getting expelled in the hands of Dumbledore than Snape’ he thought while packing his trunk in the boy's dormitory.

“What are you doing?” asked Hermione, quietly.

“Just packing my belongings. ‘M going to be expelled, isn't it. No one will annoy you now, and by the time I reach home, Mum might even kill me,” said Ron gloomily continuing to pack things one at a time. “Just one thing though, what does Toffee Eclairs have to do with my expulsion is not clear to me,”

“It's the password to his office,” said Hermione, bristingly and walked out of the boy's dormitory without saying another word.

By five minutes to 5 o'clock, Ron had finished his packing. He strolled out of the common room and went towards Dumbledore's office. He reached up to the tower which was being guard by a large and ugly stone gargoyle. Ron stood there staring at the statue and said “Toffee Eclairs.”

The gargoyle turned to reveal the staircase. Reaching the top, Ron saw an oaken double door with a knocker made of brass which was in the shape of a Griffin. He didn't quite notice the details of the place when he came in with Harry on the second year after destroying Tom Riddle’s diary. But this was his last time, so he thought of watching it closely. He knocked.

“Yes, Mr. Weasley, please come in.” Dumbledore's voice came from behind the door.

He pushed the door open and entered the Headmaster's Office. It seemed to be exactly like he remembered from his visit in their second year with Harry, Ginny and Professor Lockhart. Portraits of old Headmaster hung on the walls, of whom Ron grew up hearing stories about.

He walked his way towards Dumbledore's desk looking around at various objects that he owned.

“Please have a seat,” said Dumbledore, waving his hand towards the empty chair in front of his desk.

“Professor, when is my train back to home,” drawing the chair to sit.

“After three years, Mr. Weasley, I thought you should have recognised that it is at the end of June,” said Dumbledore, beaming at Ron.

“That means I- I am not expelled?” he said looking quizzical.

“Do you hate this School so much that you want to be expelled?”

“N- No, Professor,” Ron stuttered, quickly shaking his head. “Then may I ask why I’ve been summoned here, Professor.”

“Yes, of course you can ask, Ron,” looking at him through his half-moon spectacles. “I pride myself being a good legilimens, Mr. Weasley,” Ron thought why has he been called here to be told a fact that he knows from his childhood.

“-but I want people to tell what they really feel. It is the thoughts that you can read not the feelings-” said Dumbledore looking directly into at Ron’s eyes, “Thus, I was wondering whether you have something to tell me.”

Ron quickly looked down on the desk. He knew that legilimens can read mind with direct eye contact. He hoped Dumbledore has not read his mind. “No. I don't have anything to say, Professor,” he said softly, avoiding eye contact.

He stared at the desk for few minutes giving quick glances at Dumbledore every now and then. Dumbledore patiently sat there in front of him without saying a word with his hands slowly brushing his beard.

After a few minutes of silence Ron spoke. “Professor?” he said weakly looking at Dumbledore.

“Yes, Mr. Weasley?” said Dumbledore eagerly.

“I- I wish I was rich,” said Ron dispiritedly.

“Who says you are not? I think you are wealthier than many in this world,” said Dumbledore beaming at Ron.

“How? I don't have any money?” said Ron gloomily looking down at the desk again.

“Richness is not about having endless amount of money, Ron,” said Dumbledore with a gentle smile. “The real treasures in life are True Friendship, Love, and above all Acceptance of who you are. You have got both true friendship and love with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger.” Ron quickly looked up with a gasp.

“It is just the ‘Acceptance’ that you have to work hard on,” Dumbledore added beaming at Ron.

Ron had a lot of questions in his mind but Dumbledore got up from his seat “It has been quite good talking with you, Mr. Weasley. Good night and remember my door shall always be open if you have anything to talk about.”

Ron stared at Dumbledore for a while before heading back to common room. As he walked towards the common room he kept think if Dumbledore really saw into his mind. He thought gloomily what does he has to accept, that he was poor. ‘Or accepting that I have true friendship and-’ he murmured to himself innocently.

He stopped and looked out the window feeling the cold wind on his face. He stood there for a while trying to find answer to all the questions in his mind.

After quite some time, he strolled back towards the common room with an unexceptionally serene feeling. He was not feeling bad for his impoverished lifestyle anymore. He quietly entered the common room and started walking up to the boy's dormitory to unpack his belongings when he was pulled back. He looked back with a startle.

“So, did you get—” said Hermione anxiously with a cringe “expelled?”

“No. Not yet,” Ron said with a grin.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

The Beginning

Ron held his cart and started walking along with his family when Hermione walked up to him.

“Going without saying goodbye? I thought we were friends,” she said gazing him.

“Oh! Sorry. Goodbye,” Ron said in a soft-spoken manner.

“So, what are you going to do this summer?” said Hermione walking alongside him, holding her cart.

“Struggle with homework, I guess,” said Ron with a disgruntled look.

Hermione silently giggled. “You dazzle me Ron, you do,” said Hermione looking down trying to keep a straight face.

“Do you have anything to say, Hermione?” said Ron seeing Hermione’s smile fading away.

“Er- Mum and Dad are going to Venice for my cousin sister's wedding this summer which would be held during the start of the term, so I can't go-” she said all very quickly

“Hermione, what are you trying to say?” said Ron with a grin.

“So- I was thinking,” she took a deep breath and said looking hopefully at him “I was thinking if I can- come and stay with you'll over the summer.”

“What?” Ron exclaimed. “I- I thought- you were- going to visit Krum for this summer,” he said sheepishly.

“Ron, I never said that I was going,” said Hermione with a smirk looking away from him. Ron stood their thinking what to answer back to Hermione.

As Hermione was about to walk towards her parents, he cried “Yes. Yes you can.” Hermione looked back with a loving smile and vanished among the crowd.

____________________________

Their story continues in Part V of Tales of King Weasley and the Brightest Witch with the adventures in HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX.

Previous Parts:

Part I - Philosopher’s Stone

Part II- Chamber of Secrets

Part III- Prisoner of Askaban